Shot shell loader



Sept- 26, 1961 R. R. DEITEMEYER 3,001,436

SHOT SHELL LOADER Filed Aug. 25, 1958 2 She ets-Sheet 1 1 Arme/m.

Sept. 26, 1961 R. RJDEITEMEYER 3,001,436

sHoT SHELL LOADER Filed Aug. 25, 1958 2 Sheets-SheetI 2,

3,001,436 SHOT SHELL LOADER e Robert R. Deitemeyer, 5440 Sumner St., Lincoln, Nebr. Filed Aug. 25, 1958, Ser. N o. 757,033 2 Claims. (Cl. 86-25) 'Ilhis invention relates generally to mechanism for loading small arms ammunition and particularly, to improved apparatus for reloading as well as reconditioning spent cartridges or shells after the same have been fired.

It is the primary object of the instant invention to provide a relatively inexpensive, eticient shot shell reloader which is adapted to be operated by hand with the sequence of operation of the various loading procedures being simplilied over prior loaders of this type producing greater reloading output with much less efort than heretofore.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a shot shell reloader having a minimum number of loading and shell reconditioning stations to limit the number of times each individual shell must be moved from station to station during the reloading process, to thereby lower the time required to recondition and reload such shells as well as decrease the physical effort required to effect reloading of the ammunition.

Also an important object of the invention is to provide a shot shell reloader wherein the time of reloading is materially decreased and the number of reloading stations are maintained at la by virtue of positioning of the separate powder and shot reservoirs on relatively stationary structure while the shells being reloaded are disposed on a movable platen, to thereby effect the greatest number of reloading steps with the number of reciprooations of the shell-supporting platen.

Another important object of the invention is to provide apparatus as described which is adapted for reloading of shot shells of dilferent gauges and components with the sequence of reloading being the same, the only change being required involving substitution of various dies on lthe reloading mechanism.

Other important objects of the invention relate to the provision of a shot shell reloader as referred to above States arent having a number 'of die parts adjustably mounted on the apparatus, permitting compensation for all types of shells and substantially regardless of the condition thereof, to assure the most eicient reloading in the amount of time; to apparatus for reconditioning and reloading tired shot shells which operates on a positive stop principle, making it unnecessary for the operator to feel or see any of the components during reloading; to apparatus as set forth above wherein the number of reloading stations on the mechanism is reduced by virtue of combining certain of the assembly steps with delivery of the powder and shot into the spent shells; to a machine for reloading spent cartridges which is adapted for replacing the primer structure in the shell substantially regardless of the-type employed; to mechanism as alluded to above wherein the spent shell oasings are completely reconditioned during reloading and all foreign matter Iand loose paper and the like is removed from such casings prior to recharging of the same with powder and shot; to the provision of a shell reloader including novel mechanism for inserting a new primer into the shell and delivering new powder into such shell, with only one reciprocation of the shellsupporting platen being necessary; to a reloader having improved structure for pressing a predetermined Vnumber of wads into the shell casing under a selected pressure and for subsequently directing shot into the shell over the top of such wedding during one reciprooation of the platen supporting the shell; to reloading mechanismV for spent shot shells having a combination resizing and crimping die at the last reloading station, thereby eliminating one operation in heretofore provided machines ofthis Patented sept. ze, 1961 ice character; to mechanism for reloading spent shell casings having novel dies for properly resizing the oasings by virtue of the fact that such dies engage the outer surface of the shell to size the same both at the Kbeginning of the loading cyole and again at the end of` such reloading; to a reloader `as described which is adapted for replacing all types of primers in the spent shells; and to other important objects and details of construction which will become obvious or be explained more fully as the following specification progresses.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is -a perspective view of mechanism for reloading spent shot shells and embodying the principles 4of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a reduced, vertical, Vcross-sectional View taken substantially on lthe broken vline 2 2 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a reduced, substantially vertical,V crosssectional view taken on the broken line 3 3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is ya reduced, fragmentary, cross-sectional View illustratinga modified form of the present invention and on -a line similar to 2 2 of FIG. 3.

Briefly, the present invention comprises mechanism for reloading spent shot shells including a base mounting diesupporting structure thereabove and including a vertically reciprocable shell platen positioned between the base and the structure for movement toward and away from the latter. The platen and structure have a number of opposed, aligned, shell reloading stations adapted for effecting reconditioning and reloading of the shell in a minimum number of reciprocations of the movable platen. Furthermore, improved crank construction is carried by the base and operably coupled with the platen for moving the lattertoward and away from the structure to thereby eifect the described reloading procedure. Improved supply means is mounted on the stationary structure for delivering predetermined quantities of powder and shot to the spent shells at selected stations on the reloading apparatus.

A spent shell reloader designated broadly by the numeral 10, embodying the concepts of the present invention and illustrated in the drawing in its preferred form, includes as basic components, a substantially horizontal base 12 having a pair of horizontally spaced, upright standards 14 and 16 serving as support means for a horizontal die and supply means support 18, a shell platen 20 reciprocably carried by standards 14 and 16 for movement toward and away .from support 18, and crank structure broadly numerated 22 carried by base 12 and operably coupled with platen 20 for moving the latter vertically on standards 14 and 16.

Base 12 has a pair of parallel, upright ends 2.4 and 26 integral with and interconnected by a main cross element 27. Two pairs 'of extensions 28 interconnected by elongated crossbars 30 and each having a vertical bore 32. therein provide means for securing base "12 to any suitable support suoh as a table or the like (not shown).

Standards 14 and 16 have externally threaded, reduced portions 34 complementally threaded into verticalk passages 36 extending downwardly from the upper ,edge surfaces of respective ends 24 and 26, whereby standards 14 land 16 are disposed in vertical locations and lie in a vertical plane parallel with cross element 27. f

Support i3 includes a normally horizontal, irregularly configured main die carrier 38 provided with vertical bores 40 at opposed ends thereof disposed to receive the uppermost reduced, externally threaded portions 42 of standards 14'and 16 respectively. Nuts 44 threaded onto the upper end of reduced portions 42 extending above die barrier 38 serve to maintain carrier 38 in a predetermined horizontalposition spaced directly above base 12.

Platen 20 has a substantially `horizontal crossmemb'er 46 provided with vertical bores 48 at opposed ends thereof slidably receiving respective standards 14 and 16 whereby platen 20 is positioned between support 18 and base 12 and is reciprocable toward and away from die carrier 38.

Crank 'structure 22 for reciprocating cross member 46 on standards 14 and 16 comprises an elongated shaft 50 rotatably carried by ends 24 and 26 and extending outwardly beyond corresponding ends 24 and 26, as best shown in HG. 2. An operating handle 52 extends through the outermost end of shaft 50 away from end `14 and is rigidly secured to the same so that upon swinging movement of handle 52, shaft 50 is rotated about the longitudinal axes thereof. A pair of relatively short crank members 54 also extend through shaft 50 adjacent outer opposed faces of ends 24 and 26 andV normally extend downwardly toward the rear extensions 28 of base 12 when handle 52 is in a substantially upright position. As illustrated in FIG. 3, handle 52 and the proximal crank member 54 described an inner obtuse angle, while crank members 54 lie in `substantial parallelism for rotation with shaft 50 as handle 52 is swung downwardly. A pair of links 56 pivotally connected at opposite ends to the outer ends of corresponding crank member 54 and to opposed ends of cross member 46 effect reciprocable movement of platen 20 on standards 14 and 16 as shaft 50 is rotated on its longitudinal axis by swinging of handle 52.

Shell reloader 1()V is provided with at least four reloading stations to be described in greater detail hereinafter, but it is initially pointed out that certain speciiic reconditioning and reloading operations are carried out at each station, with the most eicient reloading being effected by disposition of a shell at each of the stations during each reciprocation of platen 20 with respect to die carrier 38 with the shells then being successively moved from one station to another.

The first loading station on shell reloader includes a dee-priming element 58 having its lowermost end positioned within a vertical bore 60 in cross element 27 and secured to the latter. Element 58 extends upwardly from base 12 and projects through a tubular resizing die 62 provided with a downwardly extending, cylindrical, externally threaded boss 64 complementally threaded into an internally threaded, vertical passage 66, an annular guide bushing 68 frictionaliy disposed within an enlarged, circular recess 7d in the lowermost surface of cross member 46 serving to guide element 53 as platen 20! reciprocates on standards 14 and 16. An annular nut 72 threaded over boss 64 between the uppermost face of cross member 46 and the upper, enlarged portion of die 62 permits the relative height of the uppermost edge 74 of die 62 to be changed with respect to cross member 46 as desired. The innermost cylindrical surface '76 of die 62 is equal in diameter to the specified outer diameter of a newly manufactured shell of a specified gauge, While the larger diameter, cylindrical Aand conical surfaces 78 and 80 respec tively of die 62 operate to guide the shell into the resizing surface 76 of the same. Transversely circular pin 82 projecting upwardly rom the upper end of element 58 is designed to `remove primers from shells during operation of reloader 10.

Annular anvil 34 frictionally disposed within a circular opening 86 in die carrier 38 and directly overlying die 62 is adapted to engage the metal butt end of `a shell during resizing of the same, and vertical bore 87 communicating with opening 86 facilitates removal of anvil 84 when desired. It can be understood that a solid anvil 84 may be employed if believed to be more satisfactory.

The second loading station located in horizontally spaced relationship to the first station and a slightly greater distance from standard 16 includes an annular primer holder 88 slidably disposed in an enlarged, vertical passage 90 in cross member 46, passage 90 communicating with a vertical bore 92 concentric therewith and slidably mounting a cylindrical boss 94 integral with a circular disk 97 Within passage 90 and abutting the shoulder presented by cross member 46 surrounding bore 92. A coil spring 96 maintains primer holder 88 in spaced relationship to disk 97, while -a downwardly projecting primer punch 98 is integral with boss 94.

An externally threaded, tubular adapter 100 complementally threaded into a passage 102 depends from die carrier 38 and has a powder delivery tube 104 threaded over the portion thereof extending downwardly from the lower face of carrier 38. As indicated best in FIG. 2, tube 104 is substantially concentric with holder 88 and directly overlies the same. Means for deliveringv powder to a shell through tube 11M-includes a powder compartment 106 forming a part of supply housing 108 and directly overlying tube 104, it being noted that housing 108, integral with die carrier 38, has a lower valve-receiving section 110 having a cylindrical, substantially horizontal bore 112 communicating with passage 102 as well as with powder compartment 106 through a vertical opening 114 in horizontally spaced relationship to passage 102. An elongated valve bar 116 is slidably disposed in bore 112 and has a normally vertical, transverse bore 118 communicating with compartment 106 through opening 114 and movable into alignment with opening 102 as the normally outermost end of bar 116 is moved inwardly into bore 112. A bolt 120 threaded into the rearmost end of bar 116 passes through and the head 122 thereof engages plate 124 removably secured to the rear face of section 110 in closing relationship to bore 112, and a coil spring 126 between plate 124 and the proximal end of bar 116 and disposed in surrounding relationship to bolt 120 normally biases bar 116 toward the outermost end of its path of travel. A tubular guide 128 maintains spring 126 in correct position. A key 130 secured to section 110 and extending into bore 112 is slidably received within a keyway 132 in bar 1116 to prevent relative rotation of the latter with respect to die carrier 38.

The third loading station forming a part of shell reloader 10 comprises an upright shell holder 134 cut away as at 136 throughout a maior portion of the length thereof in order to receive a shell, and having an upper tubular collar 138 provided with vertical funnel spring 140 and a lower circular collar 142 secured to the topi of an elongated bolt 144 extending downwardly through an enlarged vertical bore 146 in cross member 46 and concentric with a reduced bolt-receiving passage 143 adapted to guide bolt 144. Nut 150 threaded onto'the lower end of bolt 144 limits upward movement of holder 134 under the action of coil spring 152 surrounding bolt 144 and engaging the shoulder of cross member 46 presented 'by passage 148, as well as the enlarged upper head portion of bolt 144.

Shot delivering mechanism overlying shell holder 134 includes a tubular, externally threaded adapter 154 threaded into vertical passage 156 communicating with a horizontal bore 158 parallel with bore 112. Shot feed tube 160 complementally threaded over adapter 154 and depending from the lower face of die carrier 33 is of sufcient dimensions to clear circular collar 138 of holder 134 as platen 20 is reciprocated toward carrier 38.

Bore 158 communicates with shot compartment 162 forming a part of housing 108 and parallel with compartment 106 in direct overlying relationship to bore 158, it being noted that opening 164 in horizontally spaced relationship to passage 156 intercommunicates compartment 162 and bore 158.

The valve mechanism in bore 158 is identical with that described with respect to the valve components in bore 112 and therefore the structure will not be described in detail, the same numbers being applied to the parts to indicate the disposition of the same.

The fourth loading station includes a shell xture 166 received within a vertical bore 168 and provided with a segmental upper ring 170 adapted to receive the rim of a shell therewithin, while an externally threaded extension 172 passing through bore -174 concentric with bore 168 has a nut 176 thereon beneath the lower face aaah/iss of cross member 46 for maintaining xture 166 in a preselected position on platen 20.

A crimping and resizing tubular component 178, reciprocable in vertical bore 182 in die carrier 38, is maintained in a proper position overlying shell xture 166, by a crimping plunger 180 having a piston 181 on the lower end thereof slidably disposed within component 178. The uppermost portion of bore 182 is normally threaded at 184 and complementally carries a tubular bushing 186, in turn slidably receiving the upper stem portion of plunger 180. Annular nut 188 threaded over the upper part of bushing 186 permits the latter to be adjusted with respect to die carrier 38 while nut 190 threaded onto the upper end of plunger 180 limits reciprocable movement of the latter in a downward direction. Coil spring 192 disposed Within bore 182 and engaging bushing 186 and component 178 at opposite ends thereof, normally biases component 178 toward platen 20.

A plate 194 removably disposed over the normally open top of housing 108 prevents foreign matter from passing into compartments 106 and 162, while transparent windows 196 permit the level of powder 198 in compartment 106 or the shot 200 in compartment 162 to be viewed without removing plate 194.

In the modified form of shell reloader 210 illustrated in FIG. 4, an elongated de-priming element 212 depends from die carrier 238 at the end thereof extending outwardly from upright standard 216, with reduced portion 214 of element 212 being received in Vertical bore 218 and secured to die carrier 238 by virtue of a nut 270 threaded over the upper end of reduced portion 214. A punch 222 secured to the lower end of element 212 is received within a Vertical passage 224 in the underlying end of cross member 246 as platen 220 is reciprocated on the standards toward and away fromA die carrier 238. Moditied shell reloader 210 should also be provided with a cap litting 263 positioned on platen 220 at any suitable location.

In order to explain the operation of shell reloader 10, one complete loading cycle will be described in detail but it is to be recognized that such reloading may be` continued for as long as necessary to Areload the designated number of spent shells. Initially, the empty shell is placed over the upper end of element 58 with the outer circular edge of the cartridge positioned within cylindrical surface 78 of resizing die 62. Thereupon, handle 52 is grasped and moved downwardly toward the support for base 12 to thereby cause crank members 54 to be swung about the longitudinal axis of shaft 50 as the latter rotates in conjunction with swinging movement of handle 52, and links 56 pivotally connected to crank members 54 cause platen 20 to reciprocate vertically toward die carrier 38 on standards 14 and 16. Upon engagement of the metal cap end of the empty shell with anvil 84, the shell is forced downwardly into the bore presented by cylindrical surface 76 to thereby effect resizing of the outer diameter of such shell to predetermined dimensions. It is to be recognized that the internal diameter of die 62 is determined by the gauge of the shell being reloaded and in order to make reloader universally adapted for reloading all types of ammunition, it is to be preferred that a plurality of dies 62 be available for the standard gauges of'shells commercially available. Upon engagement of the metal butt end of the shell with anvil 84, complete resizing of the shell is assured and then handle 52 is returned to its normal upper position as illustrated in FIG. 3, to thereby causes the .shell to be removed from die 62, whereuponv the same may readily bev lifted from element 58. It should also be noted that anvil 84 serves to flatten the metal rim of the shell ifthe same has been distorted in any manner.

In the next sequence of operation, a new battery cup primer is placed in the central part of primer holder 88 and the shell removed from element 58 is disposed on holder 8S with the open end thereof facing upwardly in a manner to receive powder delivery tube 104. Next, handle 52 is again actuated in a downwarddi'recton to force platen 20 upwardly toward carrier 38 to thereby cause tube 104'to move into the open end of the resized shell. Upon engagement of the lowermost end of tube 104 with the metal end of the shell withinv the same, holder 88 is reciprocated downwardly toward disk 97 against the action of coil spring 96 to thereby cause the new primer to be inserted into the metal end of the shell in proper position. Y

While handle 52 is retained at the lowermost end of its path of travel with platen 20 disposed in proximal relationship to carrier 38, valve bar 116 within bore 112 and below powder compartment 106 is pushed inwardly to cause powder' 198 disposedin bore 118 to be moved toa position overlying passage 102 where such powder may gravitate through adapter '100 and tube 104 into the interior of the shell. It can be ascertained thattbore 118 in valve bar 116 causes a measured quantity of the powder to be delivered to the shell casing, and coil spring 126 within bore 112 operates to return valve bar 116 to the outermost'end ofits path of travel with bore 118 again aligned with passage 114 in a manner whereby f additional powder 198 mayV gravitate into bore 118.

Next, handle 52 is again swung to its normal uppermost position and the shell containing the new'primer and powder is removed from holder 88 and repositioned within shell holder 134,\with the normally uppermost, open end of the shell disposed within collar 138 and the metal end of the shell resting on the upper end of bolt 144 secured to collar 142 of holder 134.V One or more wads are placed inthe open end of the shell and then handle 52 is again swung Ydownwardly to cause platen 20 and'thereby holder 134 to be shifted toward carrier 38, with the uppermost, open end of the shell receiving shot Vfeed tube 160. As cross memberV 46 continues to move upwardly toward carrier'38, the lowermost end of shot feed tube 160 engages the wads initially placed within the uppermost end of the shot shell, thereby forcing such wads downwardly into tightfengagement with the powder directed into the shell at the second station. Note should be taken of the fact that a predetermined pressure is placed on the wads by the feed shot tube 160 by'virtureof the fact that upward 'movement of platen 20 relative to support l18 s limited to a predetermined distance.

While tube 160 is maintained in pressing engagement with the wads within the shell, valve bar Y116 withinb'ore 158 and immediately under compartment/1,62 ispushcd inwardly to thereby move bore 118 in bar 116 into alignment with passage 156 to cause the shot contained within bore 118 to be directed through adapter 154 and tube 160 into theinterior of the shell. Again, it can be recognizedA that the quantity of shot`200 delivered to the shell is measured by-the^ volume of bore 1178 and spring 126 returns valve bar 116 to its normally outermost position to permit additional shot 200 to gravitate into bore 118 for subsequent loading operations.

After swinging of handle 52 to its upper position, the shell may be removed from holder 134 and placed at the fourth station with the metal rim of the shell received by ring 170, with the uppermost open end of the cartridge disposed to telescope within component 178. It can therefore be seen that as handle 52 is again rotated toward the lower end of its path of travel, the shell is received Within vthe bore of component 178 to effect resizing of the casing to predetermined external dimensions and causing the uppermost edge of the shell to be crimped by the internal configuration of component 178. During upward movement of platen 20 toward die carrier 38, component 178 may reciprocate against the action of coil spring 192 to effect the required crimping of the shell as component 173 shifts relative to plunger 1-80.

Although the above description has recited reloading and reconditioning of only one shell, it can be appreciated that upon shifting of the first shell from the rst station to the second station, another shell may be placed at the first station in overlying relationship to die 62 and then as the originally first shell is moved to station #3, the shell at station #l may be shifted to station #2 and a third shell placed at station #1. This operation may be continued until all of the desired shells have been reloaded.

In utilizing the modified shell reloader 210, the empty shell is placed on cross member 246 in overlying relationship to passage 224 and immediately below element 212, and handle 52 is actuated to cause punch 222 to push the center cap from the spent casing. Handle 52 is then returned to its up position and the anvil of the battery cap is repositioned by pushing such cap against iitting 263 on cross member 246.

When caps only are used in the reloading of the spent shells, pin 82 is removed from element 5S and disk 97 is turned over, whereby primer punch 9S is disposed in an upright position to effect placement of the new cap, with holder 88 being removed to permit disk 97 to reciprocate within passage 90 against the action of coil spring 96.

Thus, in a reloading operation utilizing modified shell reloader 210, the sequence of operation comprises successively disposing the shell at defined station #1, station having element 212 at the same, and then successively, stations #2, #3 and #4.

It is now apparent that the present shell reloader consolidates several operations in prior apparatus of this character and thereby saves time and eifort during the reloading. Speed of loading is accomplished by reducing the number of times the shot shell case is handled and furthermore, because of the convenient placement of all of the loading stages directly in front of the operator. The loading sequence, being from left to right and each load being completed before the next load is started, permits an average operator to complete the load sequence in ten seconds if four stations are employed, or less than fteen seconds if five stations are utilized. Also, resizing of the cartridge casing at two dilerent places assures that the same is maintained within predetermined dimensions and because all of the reshaping components are adjustable and may be replaced with different sized parts, shells of various gauges may be quickly and readily reloaded in an advantageous manner. With the present apparatus, a fired casing may be loaded as many as eight or more times, thereby making reloading an economically attractive process and with only a relatively inexpensive unit being required.

Although the preferred apparatus and components thereof have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be understood that various changes may be made -in the present reloader without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore, it is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. Mechanism for reloading shotgun shells comprising a base; a pair of upright, horizontally spaced standards mounted on said base; a support secured to said'standards in vertically spaced relationship to said base; a cross member reciprocably carried by said standards between the base and said support, said cross member and the support having a number of opposed, aligned loading stations, the stations on said support including in successive order a stop, a shell guide and power delivery tube, a wad press and shot feed tube Iand resizing and crimping components, the stations on said cross member in said order including resizing and de-priming elements, a primer holder, and a pair of spaced shell holders, said support having a pair of spaced, horizontally disposed, elongated passages therein, each of said passages communicating with a corresponding tube; individual powder and shot compartments mounted on said support in overlying relationship to corresponding passages, said compartments being provided with openings into respective passages disposed in spaced relationship to the areas of intercommunication of the passages with said tubes; means closing one end of each passage; measuring valve means in each of said passages for permitting only predetermined quantities of powder and shot to gravitate from corresponding compartments into said tubes, said valve means including an elongated bar longitudinally shiftable in the corresponding passage and provided with a transverse bore therethrough intermediate the ends thereof, said bore being of a predetermined volume and alternately alignable with openings in the respective compartment and area intercommunicating the passage with the corresponding tube, and a coil spring in said passage between the inner end of said bar and the corresponding closing means yfor biasing said bar in a position with the bore therethrough in alignment with one of said openings; and crank structure rotatably carried by said base and coupled with the cross member for reciprocating the latter toward and away from the support.

2. Mechanism for reloading shotgun shells as set forth in claim l, wherein each of said bars is provided with an elongated keyway therein on the periphery thereof, and wherein is provided key means carried by the support and extending into each of said passages, said key means being received in a keyway on the corresponding bar when the latter is disposed within the passage to preclude rotation of the bar about the longitudinal axis of said passage.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 547,058 Barlow Oct. 1, 1895 772,865 Breckenridge Oct. 18, 1904 2,091,397 Shockey Aug. 31, 1937 2,749,790 Miller .Tune 12, 1956 2,807,186 Veum Sept. 24, 1957 OTHER REFERENCES American Rieman of I une 1935, page 25 (Copy available in Division 10). 

